Tag: history

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News Opportunity

Applications sought to deliver FINALE participatory arts project

opportunity

Applications sought to deliver FINALE participatory arts project

Wexford County Council invites submissions for an ambitious cross-border participatory arts project addressing the overarching theme of ‘Who is a pilgrim?’ that links the communities of Wexford and Pembrokeshire, as well as the international diasporas of these regions. The project is expected to be delivered through a mix of face-to-face activity and online engagement. This commission is expected to be completed by late Spring 2023 and will be the finale of the Ancient Connections arts programme.

There is a total value of €50,000 available for this commission. One lead individual or organisation must apply, but proposals must have a collaborative cross-border partner(s) who will enable delivery of the project evenly between the two regions and the delivery budget must reflect this.

Key aims of the project are to encourage international visitors to both regions and to present an ambitious, engaging and high impact finale project for the local communities of North Wexford and North Pembrokeshire that further enhances and cements their shared history and connections.

Applications are welcomed from organisations and individuals who live in Pembrokeshire or Wexford as well as those outside of the project area, however the applicant must be able to demonstrate a successful delivery model that takes into account their geographical location, as well as the requirement to ensure equal impact and accessibility for participants in both Pembrokeshire and Wexford.

Closing date for applications: 28th February 2022
 
Applications must be submitted through the etenderie portal. You will need to register as a supplier on the portal in order to view all the tender documents.  

Project Outputs: 

 FINALE arts project Spring 2023

Categories
News Pilgrimage

Wexford – Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way

Pilgrimage

Wexford Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way

The British Pilgrimage Trust have formed a partnership with Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, Journeying and Guided Pilgrimage to manage the new pilgrim route between St Davids, Pembrokeshire and Ferns in County Wexford. The pilgrim route will be the primary legacy of the Ancient Connections project.

Guy Hayward, Director of The British Pilgrimage Trust said:

“The British Pilgrimage Trust aims to facilitate grass roots activity around Britain by offering our expertise for free to all those that need it, and there is so much more of this local community activity now that they are seeing the attractive potential of pilgrimage for the home area that they know and love. We also want more people to actually walk the routes in practice, not just as a historical concept, and that is why we are so excited about this project, creating an old route as new with all the infrastructure that a modern pilgrim needs. Coming together and working with all these different partners – Pilgrim Paths Ireland, Journeying, Guided Pilgrimage, Ancient Connections – who are all passionate about forming a pilgrimage connection between Ireland and Wales, is going to lead to the kind of innovation and freshness of approach that is only possible when different cultures come into contact and share their wisdom. We are in the earliest stage of this project, but I can already tell that we are going to create something very beautiful together that bridges both sides of the Celtic Sea, and something which so many will enjoy and find meaning through for generations to come”.

Working alongside the British Pilgrimage Trust and representing the Irish interest in the project is Pilgrim Paths Ireland. Chairman John G O’Dwyer said: “he was delighted to be part of the team tasked with developing a pilgrim route as part of the Ancient Connections project that will commemorate the 6th-century journey of St Aidan to study under St David in Wales.”  The project will, he believes, revive long-standing links between communities in Pembrokeshire and Wexford by drawing on a common heritage to actively share local knowledge, experience and skills. “The new pilgrim route should mean much additional spending to Wexford and Pembrokeshire and draw attention to the rich heritage both areas have to offer to visitors,” 

Also joining the team will be two West Wales based not-for-profit companies. Journeying have been taking small groups of pilgrims on guided walking tours to the more off-the-beaten-track parts of Britain and Ireland for over thirty years. Guided Pilgrimage offer Celtic pilgrimages of one day or multi day duration that create a space for people to reconnect body and spirit through the wild and beautiful Celtic landscapes.

Following community consultation and market research, the name of the route will be Wexford – Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way. Cardiff based destination marketing specialists Heavenly, along with graphic design company Orchard have created a unique brand for the route that will inspire visitors from the UK, Ireland and abroad to take up the pilgrim’s mantle and have a potentially life-changing experience. Branding will feature on route way-markers, maps and leaflets as well as pilgrim passports and a pilgrim app.

The route will be open to the public in 2023 for both guided and self-guided tours. There are a number of opportunities to take part in one day pilgrimage events on the new route. 

For more information visit:

Wexford Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way

This is a route in development and is currently going through the Sport Ireland accreditation process. Although some sections of the route are on existing accredited Wexford Walking Trails (Ferns Village, Oulart Hill, Three Rocks Trail and Carne to Rosslare), all other parts of Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way route have yet to be accredited. Accordingly, Wexford County Council and its route development partners do not accept responsibility and are not liable for any loss, damage or injury which may arise and all users and participants should take all necessary care to satisfy themselves of the suitability and safety of the route.

Project Outputs: Two new FTE jobs. New pilgrim route between Ferns, Wexford and St Davids, Pembrokeshire

 

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News Opportunity

Job opportunities – Pilgrim officers for Pembrokeshire and Wexford

Opportunity

Job opportunities -The British Pilgrimage Trust and partners seek two Pilgrimage Officers

Ancient Connections is delighted to announce the appointment of a partnership of organisations who will collaborate to manage the new pilgrim route between St Davids, Pembrokeshire and Ferns in County Wexford. The partnership is led by The British Pilgrimage Trust, joined by Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, Journeying and Guided Pilgrimage.

The British Pilgrimage Trust are advertising two new Pilgrimage Officer jobs, one for Pembrokeshire and one for Wexford.

British Pilgrimage Trust Project Leader Dawn Champion said:

“To support this project, we’re excited to be able to offer full-time jobs for two Pilgrimage Officers, one in Wexford and one in Pembrokeshire. These pilgrimage officers will have a rare professional opportunity to inspire people, pilgrims, communities and businesses to access the benefits of pilgrimage. The pilgrimage route will create a lasting legacy for both of these remarkable pilgrim destinations by regenerating communities, attracting pilgrims and delivering a long-lasting modern cultural tradition.

We’re looking for two special people who know the area and its people well, to design and deliver a full and inspiring pilgrimage programme by engaging with people from all communities, and building community and volunteer-led action.”

The job descriptions and application procedure can be found here: www.britishpilgrimage.org/pilgrimage-officer-job-vacancies

 

image credit: Photo of Janet Ingram, Education and Pilgrimage Officer St Davids Cathedral by Journeying.

Deadline for applications Jan 3rd 2022 

Project Outputs: Two new FTE jobs

Categories
News

New mural at Theatr Gwaun complete!

News

New mural at Theatr Gwaun complete!

Ancient Connections is thrilled with the new mural at Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard! Following a competitive process, the contract was awarded to Accent London, led by Grant Radford, originally from Port Talbot, but now based in London. Over the summer, community consultations helped to refine some initial ideas and the final design was agreed. Grant and Zoe worked flat out last week to finish the mural just before the launch of the new festival ‘On Land’s Edge’ at the Theatr. Big congratulations to all involved. We think the mural looks elegant and stylish and at the same time speaks of movement and migration across the Irish Sea, which are key themes for Ancient Connections. A forthcoming leaflet will provide more information on Fishguard and Goodwicks’ local stories, folklore and heritage for curious visitors.

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News Opportunity

Call Out – Holy Wells- music, literature and arts commissions

Opportunity

Call Out for artists - Holy Wells of North Wexford and North Pembrokeshire

Ancient Connections invite Expressions of Interest from artists, musicians and creatives for:

  1. Music and sound commissions (total budget available €15,000)
  2. Literature and visual arts commissions (total budget available €15,000)

All commissions will explore the theme of Holy Wells in North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford. The budgets will be allocated evenly between Pembrokeshire and Wexford. It is likely that between 4-6 commissions will be awarded, of varying values between €2000 and €10,000, depending on the nature of the project and the extent to which it encompasses cross-border creatives. Proposals are invited equally for small-scale projects as well as larger more ambitious proposals.

The Ancient Connections team want to hear about any projects you are currently working on, or want to develop that relate to the theme of Holy Wells through the medium of sound and/or music. OR literature and visual arts. Detailed proposals are not required at this stage, just an outline of the vision for a project and an approximate budget. This will give us an opportunity to review who is interested, where they are from, what they do, and how they might creatively work with or complement similar or related projects across the border. As much as possible we want to encourage cross-border collaboration between artists working in similar approaches and/or mediums. From the findings of the open call, a small number of applicants will be invited to materialise their idea with an allocated budget.

There are two briefs, one for music and sound and another for literature and visual arts – please ensure that you download the correct brief and application form.

Download Music and Sound Brief 

Download Music and Sound application form 

Download Literature and visual arts brief

Download Literature and visual arts application form

Enquiries: email ruth.jones@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Deadline: Wednesday 20th October 5 pm 2021 

Project Outputs: artworks – visual arts, literature, music and sound

Categories
News

Aberjazz Parade – sun, dragons and brass band

Community Project

Aberjazz Parade - sun, dragons and brass band

The Aberjazz Parade was a huge success on Sunday 29th August! The Parade took place in the middle of an excellent programme of contemporary jazz at Theatr Gwaun, Fwrn and other venues in the town. The sun shone on Fishguard while Llarregug Brass Band played their eclectic mix of hip hop inspired New Orleans style jazz, led by an enormous Welsh dragon puppet created by Invisible Octopus. Earlier in the day, workshops took place where young people could make musical instruments out of recycled materials. The dragon and band started out from the stone circle on the Marine Walk, made their way to the centre of town, up the Golden Mile and round to the back of the Town Hall, where they played a few more numbers. The streets were lined with local people and visitors and the upbeat atmosphere was infectious.

Date: August 2021

Project Outputs: Aberjazz Parade 

Categories
News

St Patrick’s Chapel – 3D models reveal altar within stone enclosure

Archaeology Project

St Patrick’s Chapel – 3D models reveal altar within stone enclosure

The dig at St Patricks Chapel, which came to a close in July, generated huge excitement and interest both from local people living in the West Wales area, as well as visitors from all over the UK and further afield.

The excavation unearthed over one hundred skeletons including men, women and infants. Bone analysis, which is taking place at Sheffield University will reveal more about who these people were and where they came from.

The team at Dyfed Archaeological Trust have created two 3D models, one showing what appears to be an altar and the other shows the circular stone enclosure with the altar in its centre. Further investigations are continuing to understand better these features and how they relate to each other.

These links will take you to the 3D models:

Stone Enclosure

Altar

A full report of the excavation is expected to be completed at the end of 2021.

(image: artist’s impression of how St Patrick’s Chapel would have looked when it was in use)

Date: August 2021

Project Outputs: Report due end of 2021

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News Opportunity

Ancient Connections seeks contractor to deliver Pilgrimage Product

Opportunity

Ancient Connections seeks company to deliver Pilgrimage Product

Ancient Connections wishes to contract a not-for-profit entity or commercial company to oversee, develop and promote a proposed new pilgrim route between Ferns in Wexford, Ireland and St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales. There will be a strong focus on developing the pilgrimage product using existing infrastructure (coastal path in Pembrokeshire and related attractions in Wexford) as well as on co-ordinating and marketing related tourism products. The budget allocated for this contract is to deliver specific and identified short term outputs as well as acting as seed funding for the longer-term vision for the enterprise. The successful contractor, be they not-for-profit or commercial, will need to demonstrate an enthusiasm to the long-term vision for the project beyond the scope of the contract deliverables and demonstrate what measures they would put in place during the contract period to ensure sustainability and financial independence once the Ancient Connections project ends in July 2023.

The successful contractor will be able to demonstrate a thorough background knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary context of pilgrimage in Wales, the UK, Ireland and Europe. They will have significant experience of working within a pilgrimage context OR transferrable experience in related tourism industries (eg trail walking, destination tourism).

All queries and applications must be received through Etender Bravo Solutions

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Applicants will need to register in order to view all tender opportunities. Once logged in you will be able to access the full brief and tender details by looking within the ITT section.  Please search within the ‘ITT open to all suppliers’ section and look for ‘Development and Management of new cross-border pilgrimage route between Ferns and St Davids and associated tourism products’ or enter code 87231

Date: Deadline for Applications 15th September 2021

Project Outputs: Pilgrimage Products and route development

Categories
Community News Opportunity

Horatio Clare creates sound walk for St Non’s – call out for public contributions

Community Project

Horatio Clare creates new sound walk for St Non's

Members of the public are being invited to contribute to an exciting new project, which aims to celebrate the history, landscape and people of Pembrokeshire’s iconic St Non’s through the medium of sound.

Sitting above the cliffs less than a mile outside St Davids, with views across St Brides Bay and out to Skomer and Grassholm, St Non’s Chapel and Holy Well is where, according to tradition, Non gave birth to David. St Non and St David, the Patron Saint of Wales, influenced the spread of Christianity across the 6th century Celtic world, including in Wales, Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany.

This spectacular, historical and wild location will be the jumping off point for award-winning writers/broadcasters Laura Barton and Horatio Clare, who have been commissioned by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to create a sound walk podcast on the history, people and landscape of St Non’s. Horatio and Laura will be working alongside Pembrokeshire resident consultant producer Graham Da Gama Howells and BBC Sound engineer Andy Fells.

The St Non’s sound walk will be an audio experience driven by the voices and the music of this special place and community. Listeners will learn about springs, saints, chapels, pilgrims, natural history, language, archaeology, farming and land use, modernity, conservation and the wider significance of this place for Welsh identity and European culture. The finished piece will be available as a podcast to be downloaded from anywhere in the world, with the aim of bringing the place, its history and its people to an international audience.

Call out for contributers and opportunity to learn new skills!

Local writers, artists, musicians, archaeologists, environmentalists, surfers, storytellers, walkers, climbers, boaters and fishers are invited to tell their stories. The production team is also offering opportunities for young residents of the area to gain training, development and work experience in broadcasting, audio recording and research. Contact Horatio Clare on horatioclare@hotmail.com

Horatio Clare has been twice shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year, include Running for the Hills (Somerset Maugham Award), A Single Swallow, Down to the Sea in Ships (Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year), Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot (Branford Boase Award), The Light in the Dark, Orison for a Curlew and Something of his Art: Walking to Lubeck with J S Bach. His latest book is Heavy Light: a story of madness, mania and healing. Horatio presents Radio 3’s acclaimed annual Sound Walks series, which have taken listeners along Offa’s Dyke, across Germany in the footsteps of J S Bach, to the Black Forest for Winter Wanderer, along Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail and most recently to the East Coast for Sunrise Soundwalks.

Laura Barton writes for a variety of publications including The Guardian, The Observer, and The Independent. Her work has often focused on music, gender, and landscape. She is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and has made documentaries on subjects ranging from tomboys to confidence, to music and rivers. Notes From a Musical Island, exploring the relationship between music and the British landscape, ran for three series. 

Categories
Community News

On Land’s Edge – new festival for North Pembrokeshire

Community Project

On Land's Edge - new festival for North Pembrokeshire

On Land’s Edge is a very special new festival for North Pembrokeshire, celebrating its unique culture, history, landscape, and the spirit of endeavour that has forged connections to the rest of the world.

24th 25th 26th September 2021

 

Tickets now available! Click here for full exciting programme and to book tickets! 

With the support of Ancient Connections, funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme, the festival will feature new works throughout, a programme of live performance with, Jon Gower, David Pepper,  Ceri Ashe, Jobina Tinnemans, Deb Winter, Lorna Osborn, Mathew Bale, Nia Harries, Mike Lewis, Brian Manton, Geraint Lewis and The Goodwick Brass Band plus a cast of representing the best of local talent.

The 3 day festival will take place in locations around Fishguard and Goodwick celebrating stories embedded in its unique history, landscape, and personal experience. Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard’s community theatre will ‘host’ the festival and offer a warm welcome with hospitality provided in cooperation with local food and beverage producers.

The festival programme will showcase new original material for the spoken word, music, and film and feature guest appearances by creative personalities who have been inspired by this unique part of West Wales.

Full programme details on www.theatrgwaun.com and all social media.

Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard’s community theatre will host the festival, coordinating events that will take place in a several venues including those that can offer hospitality featuring North Pembrokeshire impressive food and beverage producers.

The festival programme will showcase new original material for the spoken word, music, and film and feature guest appearances by established creative personalities who have been inspired by this unique part of West Wales.

Date: March 2020 – March 2021

Project Outputs: Community event and legacy costumes